Category: Fallacies of Distraction
Definition: Because something is not known to be true, it is assumed to be false
Examples:
Proof:
Arguments of this form assume that since something has not been proven false, it is therefore true. Conversely, such an argument may assume that since something has not been proven true, it is therefore false. (This is a special case of a false dilemma, since it assumes that all propositions must ether be known to be true or known to be false.) As Davis writes, "Lack of proof is not proof." (p. 59)
Identify the proposition in question. Argue that it may be true even though we don't know whether it is or isn't. (Copi and Cohen: 93, Davis: 59)